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Atomic Bomb Compilation Vol. 6 Is Here

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Now in its sixth year, the Atomic Bomb Compilation continues to be one of the best collections of political music and juke going in Japan (and, really, globally). Let’s tackle the first element. For the first time in a few years, nuclear weapons and energy aren’t at the forefront of the summer news cycle. Yay? But that only underlines the importance of the comp’s message. Chiho Oka’s “Kyrie” lays out a lesson in nuclear war and post-WWII conflict, set over a skittering beat that turns the history lesson into something far more unnerving. lits’ “Proliferation” is less explicit, but the sparse backdrop leading to rapid handclaps creates unease reflective of the title, while VMO’s contribution opts for overwhelming noise to get the point across. Elsewhere, Calgames samples a New Zealand rap number penned in response to nuclear testing back in the ’90s, while bahnhof​:​:​zoo uses a quick vocal samples set over a downcast jazz beat to create a sense of sadness on “Just Lit Up.”

The message remains vital, but it’s also important to remember how this compilation has always highlighted so much great juke, initially from within Japan but more recently from all around the globe (just see those last two artists mentioned above!). Atomic Bomb Compilation has long leaned on the darker and more aggressive side given the subject matter at its core, but I’m surprised this year how it’s the more lithe and downright hopeful cuts that have stuck with me during initial listens. Gnyonpix’s “Atom” isn’t upbeat per se, but the way it zips along on scatterbrained electronics and keyboard dollops adds some lightness to it. Loop Ensemble Of Monkey Temple finds a balance between remembrance and hope on “Releasing The Dove,” and Morinobear’s “Atomic Flower” slows the tempo down for a reflective number that you’d mistake for coming from some IDM compilation for social awareness, if such a thing existed. And of course, organizer CRZKNY delivers a gem, with an understated closing number taking time to remember, observe contemporary times and keep one eye on the future. Get it here, or listen below.

New Chelmico: “Player”

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Chelmico recently released their first full-length major label album Power, and it’s a solid shift towards bigger places for the duo. Most importantly, not much has changed now that they are on unBorde from recent EPs and a self-titled 2016 debut album. They still create upbeat genre-skipping exercises anchored in hip-hop, channeling Rip Slyme, Halcali and other pop-oriented rap outfits to create a take on the style all their own (and which is miles more interesting than most boilerplate Japanese rap, often far more interested in imitation than trying out new perspectives). “Player” offers a nice snapshot of Chelmico at their must giddy, the pair bouncing over an upbeat backdrop while riffing on video games (and gamer terminology). It all peaks with an all-together-now hook that ups the energy. Listen above.

Bright Riser: Kingyo’s Sunset

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Omoide Label has a knack for finding artists capable of finding new angles on hyperactive electronic music. Producer Kingyo’s Sunset is a brief shot in the arm, featuring a particularly chipper take on future bass that promotes the rush and fizziness of the style above all else. That’s best captured on the title track, a rush of a number loaded up with familiar samples (what) but made more melancholy by Kingyo’s own synth line, which adds sweetness. It’s a formula that works well throughout the album, Kingyo striking the right balance between melancholy and raved up. Get it here, or listen below.

New Fruits: Three

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The music of duo Puffyshoes always leaned towards goofy topics — cats and birthday parties and backstage passes — but the pair had a knack for highlighting some painful feelings lurking even in the silliest themes. Fruits, the solo project of Puffyshoes’ Azumi Nakajima, continues this tradition on Three, a set opening with what you think could be a light bit of fun in “Only My Cat Understands Me.” Until Nakajima reveals the song is really about how her parents don’t understand her, casting the whole number in a far darker light. The rest of Three wrestles with heartbreak and loneliness, set over a simple but often catchy set of bedroom pop. It all peaks with “Don’t Sing About Love,” a sing-a-long imploring the world to…do just that. Get it here, or listen below.

Above A Nap: zzz’s zzz

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Despite what all those “z’s” might imply, the latest from Tanukineiri Records boasts a nice skip to it. The artist zzz creates a funk-pop sound on the easy-breezy side of things across zzz, opening with the upbeat (and comically titled) “Danger Zone” before embracing handclaps and big fat synth melodies for “Baby Baby.” This style can easily turn stale and slip into laziness rather than good-times-havin’ — see, a lot of “new city pop” schlock out there — but zzz perks everything up with more fun moments like the goofy steppin’ of “Binbo” or the Beck-sampling “Good Night,” which basically feels like a copy of a copy in the best possible way. Get it here, or listen below.